Designing Spaces Where Creativity Leads to Agency, Connection, and Well-Being
Kyle Holmes works with educators, leaders, and organizations to reimagine creativity not as enrichment — but as the foundation for agency, culture, and meaningful connection.
Drawing from his experience as a classroom teacher, statewide arts leader, and creator of the internationally performed musical Ranked, Kyle helps audiences see how creative environments shape identity, empower voice, and influence systems.
His keynotes blend storytelling with strategic insight — leaving rooms not just inspired, but ready to build cultures where people feel seen, heard, and capable of shaping what comes next.
Speaking
Photo by Bethany Conkel
In “Empowering Students with the Arts” Kyle explores how creative outlets like theatre and music can have a profound impact on our mental and emotional health. Drawing from personal experiences, the development of Ranked with his students, and academic research, Holmes reveals how collaborative and creative processes lower stress, provide agency, create empathy, and improve our quality of life (as well as attendance, discipline, and many of the moving targets we are always chasing).
Holmes makes the case for us to stop chasing the next great educational initiative and get back to the arts - powerful, underutilized tools for supporting the mental and emotional health of young people facing anxiety, depression and emotional distress.
Guest Teaching & Workshops
Workshops and guest teaching are catered to fit each organization’s needs, and have ranged from several hours to week-long intensives. Topics include arts integration, arts advocacy, playwriting, equity and inclusion in the classroom, Ranked, and best practices in theatre program management (structuring your season, program identity and marketing, financial success).
Some previous workshops have included:
Scripts & Sensibilities: Building Empathy and Understanding Through Script Study
From Bard to Blockbusters: Building Archetypes from the Stage to the Screen
Casting with Care: Balancing Inclusive Casting While Honoring the Text (and Law!)
No Fear Shakespeare: A Crash Course to Embrace the Bard with Confidence
Preparing for Your BIG BREAK - Everything You Need for When Opportunity Comes Knocking
Staging the Staff Meeting - Everything You Need When Your Principal Asks You to Lead
So You Wrote a Play - Now What?
QLab: The Triple Threat Transforming Theaters
There’s No Business Like High School Show Business (Revamping Marketing & Ticket Sales)
Consulting
As an educational leader and co-author of the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards, Holmes has consulted with school districts across California to revamp their VAPA programs in meaningful ways, introducing relevant and culturally inclusive curriculum to prepare students for collegiate and professional success. He has developed teacher training programs for community and regional theatres, worked with leadership teams to take advantage of funding opportunities such as Prop 28 in California, and helped artists revamp their branding and marketing to best reach their audiences.
If you are interested in having Kyle work with your class, department, or organization, please reach out and let him know what your program’s needs are.
